'''Leave No Trace''' is a set of principles for participation in outdoor recreation that seeks to minimize the impact on the natural environment. Proponents of Leave No Trace believe that individual impacts caused by recreation can accumulate to degrade the land. Therefore, the Leave No Trace message encourages people who spend time in the out-of-doors to behave in such a way that they can minimize unavoidable impacts and prevent avoidable impacts. It is often summarized: "Take only photos, leave only foot prints."

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== Origins ==

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The roots of Leave No Trace can be traced to the 1970s and 1980s. In those decades, the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service started to teach their non-motorized visitors how to have a minimal impact on the land. Also in the 70s, groups such as the Sierra Club were advocating minimum impact camping techniques. A pilot program in the 80s between the [[Boy Scouts of America]] and the High Uintas Wilderness tried to reach a wide audience. Finally, a national education program was developed in 1990 by the United States Forest Service in conjunction with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

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The Leave No Trace program is managed by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, formerly Leave No Trace, Inc., which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace tries to build awareness, appreciation, and respect for our wildlands.

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== Principles ==

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Leave No Trace is an outdoor code of ethics. The principles of Leave No Trace are as follows:

*Plan ahead and prepare

*Plan ahead and prepare

*Travel and camp on durable surfaces

*Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Line 8:

Line 20:

*Respect wildlife

*Respect wildlife

*Be considerate of other visitors

*Be considerate of other visitors

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==Plan ahead and prepare==

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==Travel and camp on durable surfaces==

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===Plan ahead and prepare===

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==Dispose of waste properly==

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Some things you will want to plan and prepare for before you leave on a trip are as follows:

**Do not walk through these. Water is a precious resource in the desert.

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===Dispose of waste properly===

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*Do not bury trash!

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*Strain dishwater and broadcast the strained water over a wide area at least 200 feet from the nearest water source.

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===Leave what you find===

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*Preserve the past! Give others the same opportunity you had to find things.

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*Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them.

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*AVOID INTRODUCING NON-NATIVE SPECIES.

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*Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

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===Minimize campfire impact===

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*Campfires can leave a lasting impact on the environment.

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**Use a lightweight stove for cooking

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**Use a candle lantern for light.

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*Where fires are permitted, use established fire areas.

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*Keep fires small, use only sticks that can be broken by hand.

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*Burn all wood to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cooled ashes.

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*'''BURN ONLY WOOD!!!'''

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===Respect wildlife===

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*Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.

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*Never feed animals! Feeding animals can alter their feeding behaviors, making them prone to loss of food and predators. Animals can become dependent on humans for food.

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*Store rations and food securely.

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*Control pets at all times. If possible, leave them at home.

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*Avoid wildlife during sensitive times.

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**Mating season

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**Nesting

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**Raising young

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**Winter

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===Be considerate of other visitors===

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*Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.

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*Be courteous. Yield to others on the trail.

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*Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.

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*Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors

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*Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

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==External Links==

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{{Leave No Trace Links}}

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==Leave No Trace Awards and Advancement Requirements==

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Advancement Requirements

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*[[Second Class Rank]] - Discuss the principles of Leave No Trace.

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*[[First Class Rank]] - Since joining, have participated in 10 separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), three of which included camping overnight. Demonstrate the principles of Leave No Trace on these outings.

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{{Ecology Awards Links}}

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[[Category:Special Opportunities]]

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[[Category:Leave No Trace]]

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[[Category:Adult Training]]

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[[Category:Youth Training]]

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[[Category:Varsity Scout youth training]]

Revision as of 17:33, December 7, 2011

Leave No Trace is a set of principles for participation in outdoor recreation that seeks to minimize the impact on the natural environment. Proponents of Leave No Trace believe that individual impacts caused by recreation can accumulate to degrade the land. Therefore, the Leave No Trace message encourages people who spend time in the out-of-doors to behave in such a way that they can minimize unavoidable impacts and prevent avoidable impacts. It is often summarized: "Take only photos, leave only foot prints."

Origins

The roots of Leave No Trace can be traced to the 1970s and 1980s. In those decades, the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service started to teach their non-motorized visitors how to have a minimal impact on the land. Also in the 70s, groups such as the Sierra Club were advocating minimum impact camping techniques. A pilot program in the 80s between the Boy Scouts of America and the High Uintas Wilderness tried to reach a wide audience. Finally, a national education program was developed in 1990 by the United States Forest Service in conjunction with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

The Leave No Trace program is managed by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, formerly Leave No Trace, Inc., which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace tries to build awareness, appreciation, and respect for our wildlands.

Principles

Leave No Trace is an outdoor code of ethics. The principles of Leave No Trace are as follows:

Plan ahead and prepare

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Dispose of waste properly

Leave what you find

Minimize campfire impact

Respect wildlife

Be considerate of other visitors

Plan ahead and prepare

Some things you will want to plan and prepare for before you leave on a trip are as follows:

Check the weather forecast

Make sure you know the rules and regulations of the area

Know the anticipated food consumption

Make a meal plan

Make a duty roster

Identify your trip's goal

Make sure you have brought the essential outdoor tools

Know the ability level of your unit's members

Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Prepare corrcetly for different types of terrain.

Rock, gravel

Very durable

Can tolerate repeated trampling

Snow

The effect of trampling is temporary, making it a good surface

Make sure you have dressed correctly

Vegetation

Vegetation varies in sturdiness

Select areas with sparse vegetation

Desert puddles/mud holes

Do not walk through these. Water is a precious resource in the desert.

Dispose of waste properly

Do not bury trash!

Strain dishwater and broadcast the strained water over a wide area at least 200 feet from the nearest water source.

Leave what you find

Preserve the past! Give others the same opportunity you had to find things.

Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them.

AVOID INTRODUCING NON-NATIVE SPECIES.

Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize campfire impact

Campfires can leave a lasting impact on the environment.

Use a lightweight stove for cooking

Use a candle lantern for light.

Where fires are permitted, use established fire areas.

Keep fires small, use only sticks that can be broken by hand.

Burn all wood to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cooled ashes.

BURN ONLY WOOD!!!

Respect wildlife

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.

Never feed animals! Feeding animals can alter their feeding behaviors, making them prone to loss of food and predators. Animals can become dependent on humans for food.

Leave No Trace Awards and Advancement Requirements

First Class Rank - Since joining, have participated in 10 separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), three of which included camping overnight. Demonstrate the principles of Leave No Trace on these outings.